It can be daunting, being in a band that winds up one of the influential acts of its day. If Boston’s Come, one of the most acclaimed groups to emerge from the early-’90s indie scene, had released nothing but debut album Eleven:Eleven, its importance for musicians in that scene would likely have been established anyway. Hard, noirish, frequently violent in its approach to blues patterns and styles slowed to a molasses-drip pace, few bands hit as heavy as Come. And few musicians, in Come or elsewhere, came as hard to the stage and the studio as Thalia Zedek. Now comes Via (Thrill Jockey), a record that finds her striking off in new aesthetic and collaborative territory. Zedek will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new feature on her.
Zedek: Was at this show on March 20 at the Elk’s Lodge in Cambridge, Mass. Two Boston bands that I’ve never seen before played to a packed house early on a Wednesday night . First up was Fur Purse, a guitar/drums/vocal outfit. (The singer also played sax and chord organ.) Gang Of Four-style stabby guitar, complex-yet-savage drumming and a singer who’s lyrics had the poetry and attitude of Lydia Lunch and a voice of black velvet. Next up was Banditas, a three-piece with sweet, sweet bluesy soul and beautiful harmonies over absolutely classic country songs. Couldn’t believe it when I found out that only one song was a cover. Incredible! Oh, and BTW both bands are all female! Watch out for these guys!
Video after the jump.
